Thailand faces five main challenges in managing its greying population

Ramrung’s remarks came as Thailand entered an ageing society with 13.2 million people aged above 60 years in January this year, accounting for 20% of the total population. The elderly population is expected to reach 31%, or one-third of the total population, in 2040.

An increase in the elderly population is worrying in terms of the impact on social structure, Ramrung added, noting that she expects the elderly population to increase by 900,000 people annually, and possibly reach 1 million per year between 2024 and 2025.

5 key challenges in managing an aged society

Ramrung listed the five main challenges as follows:

• Economy: Of 13.2 million seniors, more than 5.3 million people have low or no income. Some are in debt and lack any savings.

• Society: Issues of the elderly being abandoned or becoming victims of familial violence exist in Thailand. Of the total, 12% live with other seniors and 24% live alone.

• Health: More than 95% of the elderly are still able to socialise, but two groups need relatives' support or become bedridden, thus requiring extra healthcare. Some seniors suffer from dementia, Alzheimer's disease or depression, or face mobility issues.

• Environment: Inappropriate environments at residences trigger vulnerability. For example, restrooms without handrails put seniors at risk of slipping and breaking bones.

• Technology: The elderly are at risk of cybercrimes like tricks that lure them to transfer cash or purchase low-quality products. Innovation is necessary for the elderly to improve their quality of life.

Solutions to challenges

As most of the elderly want to spend their remaining years in their own homes, the Department of Older Persons has launched the "Ageing in Place" project to ensure that communities are ready to support them.

In addition, the Ministry of Social Development and Social Security has launched a pilot project to train 40 locals in 12 provinces to take care of the elderly in their communities. Their training will kick off in March this year.

The department is also supporting the ministry in tackling all five challenges of an ageing society:

• Economy: Encouraging entrepreneurs to hire seniors, boosting their skills, and allowing them to take out loans to run a business. More than 130,000 people have received financial support and many achieved success in their businesses.

• Society: Allowing the elderly to participate in activities at special schools and development centres. To date, 2,400 elderly schools and 2,064 elderly development centres have been set up.

• Health: Deploying more than 55,000 officials with expertise in taking care of the elderly, organising training in elderly care, and improving elderly care centres nationwide, starting in Chiang Rai, Khon Kaen, Kanchanaburi, Surat Thani and Trang.

• Environment: Improving facilities at residences and offering mobility equipment for them.

• Technology: Collaborating with the private sector to organise learning courses to boost digital awareness among the elderly.